Electric railway.



No. 65|,350. Patented June l2, I900.

w. GBUNOW, In.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

Application filed Feb. 17, 1899.) (No Model.) I 2 Sheeta-S heet I.

2 SheetzF-Sheet 2.

Patented lune l2, I900.

w. anuuow, In; ELECTRIC RAILWAY. lAp vlication filed Feb. 17, 1899.)

. No. 65I,350.

(No Model.)

I -wherein more than one working conductor is a employed which is normally dead or un I UN iTE STATES WILLIAM GRUNOW, JR, on BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT;

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,350, dated are 1a, 1906. Application filed February 1 7, 1899. Serial No- 705.'744. Ho model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM GnUNow, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairlieldand State of Oonnecticut,'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Contact Systems for Electrical Railways; and I do hereby i lectors or shoes without changing the previ- I ous direction of the current leading, respec- "tively, to the controller and motors and to the storage battery by a doublepole circuitchanger carried upon the motor-vehicle and declare the following to be'a full, clear, and exact description of-theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to electrical railways, and particularly to a system of forming contact between the supplyconductor and a working conductor; and one of the objects of the invention is to provide such a system enlivened.

Another object of this invention isto provide means for forming contact between the supply and working conductors to charge that section of the latter immediately in use or nu der the vehicle and whereby the section so charged will automatically become dead or unenlivened as soon as .the vehicle shall have passed beyond the same.

Another object is to dispense with the electromagnet carried by the vehicle to attract the contact device for the purpose of closing the circuit through-the working conductor and to provide a system whereby the contact device is positively and quickly operated to charge the next succeeding section of the working conductor and close the current therethrough in order to provide for a high rate of speed by the vehicle and at the same time assure perfect contact.

' Another object of this invention is to provide a means whereby to readily obtain or pick up the current after the same shall have been cut off at the generating-station and again is regenerated by a storage battery of few cells carried upon the motor-vehicle and possessing sufficient current to energize the electromagnetic terminal within its reance is located exteriorly of the contact-receptacle to reduce the voltage of the current to actuate the contact device for the purpose of closing the circuit from the supply-con ductor directly to the working conductor.

Another object is to provide a means where= by to change the circuits of each or bothcolwhich is brought into operation when the motor-vehicle shall have been turned about, as

. on a turn-table, and the functionsof the col-. i lectors or shoes will have thereby become reversed.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists, essentially, of the construction, combination, and arrangement of parts,.substantially as hereinafter more fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which.

Figure l is a diagrammatic view of all parts and connections of my system. Fig. 2 ,is a diagrammatic view showing the contact-receptacle, working conductor, and track-rail in ,corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, the referencenumeral 1 indicates track or service rails, which may be of the usual form or construction and are suitably connected or bonded, and the return-current is conveyed through the sam e to the generator in the usual manner;

The numeral 2 designates-the supply memberof the twin sectional working conductors, which may be of any preferred form or construction, and the ends ofthe energizing member 27 of the working conductors are preferably overlapped, as shown in Figs. 1

and 3, to permit the current collector or shoe 29 to enter upon before and to remain upon the energizing member 27 after the collector or shoe 28 shall have entered upon and left the supply member 2 of 'the working conductors. The supply member 2 of the working conductor is preferably connected or bonded, as shown at 3, to the top or cover 4 of a contact-receptacle 5 in any preferred manner; but desirably one end of the bond or connection is secured to the top or cover 4 by a tubular conical plug 6, forced into an opening therein, substantially as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings are illustrated a few of the ways of continuing or overlapping the ends of the sections of the energizing member 27 of the working conductors beyond the ends of theirrespective adjacent sections of the supply member 2 to practically and reliably afford a means whereby the collector or shoe 28 will have entirely left a section of the supply member 2 before its adjacent collector or shoe. 29 will have left'a section of the energizing member 27 of the working conductor, thereby avoiding or preventing beyond all doubt any possibility of arcing within the contact-receptacle, while permitting of the attainment of high speed by means of the collector 29 entering upon a section of the energizing member 27 in advance of the suppl y-collector 28. n g

The contact -receptacles 5 are preferably constructed of creosoted wood orof glazed vitrified brick, although any other suitable material may be employed, and they may be molded or pressed into the desired shape, which maybe varied as found desirable in practice, and the receptacles are preferably provided with iron or steel tops or covers 4, whereon may be formed ribs or ridges 7, and the under faces of the covers 4 are preferably provided with arib 8,adapted to enteragroove or depression 9 in the edge of the receptacles 5,

preferably filled with asphaltum or other material t0 insu re a water-tight inclosure. The top or covers 4 may be secured in position by bolts or screws. The receptacles are preferably provided with attaching-flanges, where-.

by they are secured in position upon suitable beamsor cross-ties (not shown) in any preferred manner, and the receptacles 5 are preferably provided witha tubular projection 10 to receive a branch 11 of the lead-covered supply-conductor or feeder-cable 12, and the Opening about the branch 11 may be filled in with asphaltum to insure a water-tight connection. The free ends of the branches ll of the supply-conductor are preferably secured by a Connector-clamp 13,0f any preferred construction, resting upon the bottom of the receptacle 5 and extending along the side of the same, and the supply-conductor 12 is provided with suitable connections 14 and with a source of supply 15, having connection 16 with the track or service rail 1, as clearly shown in the drawings.

Suitably mounted upon the bottom of the receptacles 5 is a base-plate 17, having a guide rod or standard 18, and freely and independently mounted upon said guide-rod is a contact device or magnet-core 19, provided with a base or yoke 20, having a central opening to receive loosely the guide-rod 18 and connecting-arn1 21 to retain one end of the flexible conductors or hands 22, the other end whereof is secured by the connectorclamps 13.

The cores constituting part of the contact device 19 are preferably connected at the free ends thereof bya sheet of copper 23 or other suitable substance having an opening to loosely receive the guide-rod 18, and the cores are provided with a winding 24, the end 25 whereof is connected to the track or service rail 1, and the other end 26 is connected to the other or energizing member 27 of the sectional working conductors, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In this invention is employed twin work ing conductors or a working conductor having two members, one member thereof being herein designated as the energizing or switch-actuating member 27 and the other member being styled the supply member 2, and these members of the working conductors are placed or secured midway between and at an equal distance from the service or track rails 1 1 and are each provided with a separate current collector or shoe 29 and 28, respectively, having suitable leads or con- (1 uctors 31 and 30,respectively,between which is preferably interposed a suitable resistance 32, consisting of electric incandescent lamps or any suitable materials or substance or compound of copper, iron, steel, or Germansilver wires or bands wound or suitably sus* tained in the usual. and waterproof manner, or it may consist of carbon or graphite rods or plates.

B y means of the construction herein shown and described I overcome the necessity of having a shunt resistance in each contact-roceptacle, thereby simplifying the construe tion and lessening the cost of the same, and provide a resistance to be carried upon each motor car or vehicle to reduce the main supply-current obtained through the collector 28. to the required amount to pass through the collector 29, wherewith to. energize the contact device 19 and raise the same in a contact with the top or cover 4 of the contact-receptacle 5 and charge the same with the full supply or working current.

The conductor 31 is connected with a storage battery 33, Fig. 2, preferably provided with a switch to throw the storage battery into and out of circuit, and the storage-battery current is preferably of low voltage, as it is only required to energize the contact device or electromagnetic supply terminal 1D to pickup the regenerated current in the event of the same having been previously cut off or lost at the source of supply. It will be understood that the storage batteryor batteries can be recharged from time to time or whenever desired without removal from the car by closing its switch, completing its current or connection with the ener- IIC gizing shoe orcollector whereupon a part of the current from the working conductor will then pass through the battery or batteries, thereby recharging or restoring the spent energy of the same. This feature also obviates the necessity of having short lengths of rail-sections on steam or interurban roads,

for when a train has come to'rest the -bat-.

tery-switch may be disengaged or opened, (after the current hasbeen cut off from the motors,) thereby rendering all sections dead or unenlivened under. the train and extend ing beyond the same until the train is to be started, when the battery-switch is again engaged or closed, thus energizing the feeder-. terminal within the contact box or receptacle, thereby closing the supply-circuit for that section of rail occupied by the train. The batteries may at all times be kept out of circuit and will be required only for a moment to energize the feeder-terminal when the current has been're'generated after the same had previously been cut oif at the power-station. The conductor 30 preferably connects with a controller 35 and motor 35, Fig. 2, which in turn is connected with the wheels of the vehicle or track or service rail 1 by connection 36, Fig. 2. The leads or conductors 30'and 31 of their respective current collectors or shoes 28 and 29, Fig, 1, are led to and connected with contact-terminals 41. Their respective.continuations leading from the controller and storage battery are also connected to the contact-terminals 41, as clearly shown. A pair of contacting bars or blades insulated from one another and operated simultaneously by an insulated lever 45, preferably pivotally mounted, are made to engage with each alternate set of contactterminals 41, so as to transmit the storagebattery currents, likewise to connect the motors and controller with the current collectors or shoes 28 and 29, Fig. 1, as would be necessary should themotor-vehicle be reversed in position without changing its previous direction of 'current-that is to' say, either current collector. or shoe can be connected to the storage battery, and, again, either shoe or collector can be connected to the controller and motors by engaging the bars of the switch with either setof contactterminals, as shownby dotted lines in Fig. 1 of the drawingsf The operation of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description when taken vin connection with the accompanying illustrations and the following explanation thereof:

The current obtained from the supply-conductor 12 preferablyv passes intothe contactreceptacle 5 through the connector branch 11 and clamp 13, flexible connections 22, arms 21, and plate 23 of the contact device 19, which, when said device is energized by. the reduced current through theenergizing-current collector or shoe29, energizing mem-. ber' 27 of the w'orkingconductor, and its connections 26, is raised. into contact with the top or cover 4, charging the supply member 2 of the working conductors with the full supply of working current, said current then passing through the supply-current collector 28 to the controller and motors. The current will also branch oif and reduce to a few volts when passing through the resistance 32 to the energizing-current collector or shoe 29, the energizing member 27 of the working conductors, and its connection 26, to the energizing-coil 24 of the contact device 19, and thence to the track or service rail 1, which carries the return-current. It will be evident that the plate 23 of the contact device 19 Williemain in contact with the top or cover 4 of the'contact-receptacle 5 and supply the working current to the supply member 2 of the working conductors as long'as the motor-car is on that section of the working conductors, whether the motor-car be at rest or in 'motion.

By means of this invention the contact device'19 is made the terminal of the supply or working current, and the device is energized by the reduced current to contact with the top or cover 4 of the contaot reeeptacle and charge the supply member 2 of the working conductors with the full supply-current, and as soon as the vehicle or motor-car shall have left that section of the working conductorsthat is to say, as soon as the energizing current collector or shoe 29 shall have left the overlapping end of the rear section of the energizing member 27 of the working conductor-the contact device or electromagnet sup ply-terminal 19 will drop by gravity, thus producing an automatic operation.

I do not desire to confine myself to the specific construction, combination, and arrangement of parts herein shownand described,

and I therefore reserve the right to make all without altering the direction of the supplycurrent.

2. A contact system provided with collectors having independent contact-terminals, a controller and battery having independent contact-terminals and a manually-operated switch constructed to engage alternate sets of said terminals to change the circuit of said collectors without altering the direction of the supply-current.

A'contact system provided with collectors, abattery and a controller, each having separate sets of contact-terminals and a man-. .ually-oprated switch between said sets of terminals constructed to change the circuits of said collectors without altering the direction of the supply-current.

4 A contact system provided with collectors, a battery and a controller, each provided with leads or connections having separate sets of contact-terminals and a manually-operated circuit-changer between said sets of terminals.

5. A contact system provided with a sectional working conduct-or havingan energizing or switch actuating member provided with overlapping ends, and with a supply member, the sections thereof being shorter than the sections of said energizing member and terminating intermediate of said overlapping ends, both of said members having electrical connections and an elect-romagnet having electrical connections, whereby the workingorsupplycircuit is closed and opened while the energizing-circuit thereioris closed.

6. A contact system provided with asectional working conductor having an energizing or switch actuating member provided with overlapping ends and a supply member, the sections thereof being shorter than those of said energizing member and terminating intermediate of said overlapping ends, an armature connected with said supply member, and an eleet-romagnet having electrical connections, whereby the working or supply circuit is opened or broken at the end of every section of the supply member while the energizing-circuit is closed.

7. A contact system provided with a sectional working conductor having an energizin g or switch-actuating member provided with overlapping ends and with a supply member, said members being of different length and the sections of the latter member terminating intermediate of said overlapping ends and having electrical connections and an electromagnet having electrical connections, whereby the energizing-circuit is closed -before and opened after the supply-circuit is closed and opened.

8. A contact system provided with a sectional working conductor having an energizing or switch actuating member provided with overlapping ends and with a supply memher, said members being of different length and the sections of the latter member terminating intermediate of said overlapping ends, and a circuit-closer having electrical connections with a source of supply and return and with said members, whereby the energizingcircuit is closed before and opened after the supply-circuit is closed and opened.

9. A contact system provided with a sectional working conductor having an energizing or switch actuating member provided with overlapping ends and a supply member, the sections thereof being shorter than those of said energizing member and terminating intermediate of said overlapping ends, a stationary armature connected with said supply member and an electromagnet having electhe sections of said energizing member and terminating intermediate of said overlapping ends, and an electromagnet the core whereof being connected with the source of supply and the coil with said energizing memberand I return, whereby the working or supply circuit is closed and opened while the energizing-circuit therefor is closed.

11. A contact system provided with a sectional working conductor having an energizing or switch-actuating member provided 1 with overlapping ends and a supply member,

the sections thereof being shorter than those iof said energizing member and terminating f intermediate of said overlapping ends, an armature connected with said supply member, an electromagnet the core whereof being connected with the source of supply and the coil with said energizing member and return and moans upon the vehicle, whereby the working or supply circuit is closed and opened, while i the energizing-circuit therefor is closed.

12. A contact system provided with a sec- 1 tional working conductor having an energizing or switch-actuating member and a supply member, said members being of different :length and the sections of the latter member terminating intermediate of said overlapping ends, an electromagnet the core whereof being connected with the source of supply and the coil with said energizing member and return and source of electric supply upon the vehicle to close the energizing-circuit when I the current has been cut 0% from the source b of supply, said members being so constructed and connected that the working or supply gizing-circuit therefor is closed.

circuit isclosed and opened while the 13. A contact system provided with a sectional working conductor having an energizing or switch-actuating member provided with overlapping ends and with a supply member, the sections of the latter being shorter than the former, an electromagnet, electrical connections for the latter and for said memf bers, source of electric supply upon the vehicle to temporarily close the energizing-circuit when thecurrent has been cut ofi from the source of supply, and means carried by the vehicle to reduce the normal energizingcurrent, said members being so constructed and connected that the working or supply circuit is closed and opened while the enerl gi'zing-circuit therefor is closed.

14. A contactsystem provided with a seetional working conductor having an energizing switch-actuating member with overlapping ends and supply, the sections of the latter being shorter than the former, an armature connected with said supply member, a contacting electromagnetand connections for the latter and said energizing member whereby the working or supply circuit is closed and opened While the energizing-circuit thereof is closed.

15. A contact system provided with a sectional working conductor having an energizing or switch-actuating member With overlapping ends and supply, the sections of the latter being shorter than those of the former member, an armature connected with said supply member, an electromagnet having a winding or coil connected with said energizing member and return, source of electric supply upon the vehicle to raise said magnet into contact with said armature and close the supply-circuit whereby the Working or supply circuit is closed and opened while the energizing-circuit therefor is closed.

16. A contact system provided with a sectional working conductor having an energizing or switch-actuating member with overlapping ends and supply, the sections of the latter being shorter than those of the former member, an armature connected with said supply member and a free or independent electromagnet operated by the alternate action of an energizing-cnrrent and gravitation, whereby the working or supply circuit is closed and opened whilethe energizing-circuit therefor is closed.

17. A contact system provided with a sectional Working conductor having an energizing or switch-actuating member provided with overlapping ends and with a supply member, said members being of different length and the sections of the latter member terminating intermediate of said overlapping ends, an armature connected with said supply member and an electromagnet the core whereof forms the terminal of the supplyconductor constructed to be raised into contact by an energizing-current and to break contact with said armature by gravitation, whereby the working or supply circuit is closed and opened while the energizing-circuit therefor is closed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM GRUNOW, J R.

Witnesses:

CHARLES S. ROGERS, M. L. SHAY. 

